JOPLIN, Mo. – Missouri Southern scored four runs in the eighth inning and rally past Fort Hays State 5-2 in the opening game of their three-game series at Warren Turner Field. The Tigers (17-24, 11-19 MIAA) have dropped seven straight while the Lions improved to 27-14 overall and 17-13 in the MIAA.

Missouri Southern scored in the bottom of the second inning but the Tigers evened the score in the third. With two outs, Nick Hammeke worked a full count and drew a walk. He then stole second and came around to score on an error.

FHSU took a 2-1 lead in the seventh. With one out, Connor Ross tripled to right center. Hammeke, who saw his team-best 14-game hit streak come to and end, plated Ross on a fielder’s choice.

The Lions had five hits off reliever Austin Unrein in the eighth inning, four of which were doubles. The Tigers had two runners reach base in the ninth, but weren’t able to score.

Starter Kyle Vogt pitched seven innings but did not receive a decision. He allowed one run on four hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Unrein took the loss in his inning of relief.

Payton Walker of Missouri Southern picked up the win, tossing eight innings with just one earned run allowed on seven hits and four walks. He struck out four. Kyle McCulloch picked up the save, throwing the ninth inning with a hit allowed an two strikeouts.